Tag: teaching online

Posted on

Teaching in a Global Pandemic 2.0

Whether you are teaching in a school, in a hybrid classroom or fully online, this school year is like no other. The stakeholders continue to debate what we should be doing to successfully educate our children.

Parents are being told their children have fallen behind. Teachers are being misrepresented as lazy, selfish, and uncaring.

Photo by Deleece Cook on Unsplash

Even though it is tough to focus because of all of the negativity, that’s exactly what teachers need to do. So let’s forget about the craziness and get back to the job we love!

Be Prepared for a Return to Virtual Learning

Earlier this summer, online learning was off the table. But that is changing quickly as the Delta variant continues to sicken teachers and students in many areas of the country.

If, or when, online learning becomes a reality at your school this year please check out my post, “Teaching Online This Fall? How to Make Day One Spectacular” in this blog.

Next, take a look at some more ways to help your students succeed online this year.

Reach Each Student in a Special Way

A virtual classroom can be a very personal medium. As a teacher, students and families are welcoming you into their home. You are interacting with your students “full on” face-to-face…up close and personal.

Make eye contact with each student. Smile and really listen to their ideas. Show the children you are having a blast teaching them this year! Establish a relaxed and happy, yet productive, atmosphere.

While teaching online, you can be that much needed ray of sunshine, a lifeline, for your students during a very insecure time in their lives.

A First Day Tradition: Discuss the Rules

Students need to be reminded of what is expected of them in the virtual classroom. So explain, and then practice, proper online behavior.

Rules should include logging in on time, staying logged in, staying seated in front of the camera, raising hands to speak, (or using the hand emoji), returning promptly from lunch and bathroom breaks, and no logging off until you dismiss the class.

No more sweet treats or trips to the treasure box for good behavior. You’ll have to think outside the box to find new grade-appropriate ways to reward students. Stickers and fun videos work for younger students. Older kids appreciate free time to draw or socialize with classmates. Photo by Amit Lahay

Creative Approaches to Behavior Management

Having a set of rules is one thing. Enforcing them online is another. Parental support is key here. But there are several things you can do to ensure your class runs smoothly.

Keep Things Moving, Literally!

Children have a very hard time sitting glued to a screen, (unless it’s a video game.) So build as much movement into the school day as possible. Find ways to incorporate movement into your lessons with songs, games, competitions, hand jives… Use your imagination!

If you notice someone is squirming, make that your cue to take a quick break to do some stretching, jumping jacks, or jogging-in-place.

Allow for a generous, ten minute bathroom break. During this time they can also drink water and possibly get a breath of fresh air before settling back to work.

Keep Your Feedback Positive

Disciplining students online is tricky for the teacher. We need to maintain order, but we don’t want any hurt feelings either. That means no embarrassing online reprimands. Redirect in a positive way, with patience and a genuine smile. Use humor when appropriate.

If a problem continues, call in the parents to help fix it. Above all, realize that this year your students really need kindness and compassion.

Next time we’ll look at ways to craft exciting lessons for online delivery.

Posted on

Teaching Online This Fall? How to Make Day One Spectacular!

For students, the first day of school creates nervous anticipation mixed with joy and excitement…new teacher, new class, new books, new things to do and learn.

Back to school won’t look like this if you are teaching virtually. But we will still feel those “first day jitters.” Photo by note thanun.

This year there will be plenty of all that, and more! Along with getting to know everyone, students and teachers will also be getting to know how to navigate the virtual classroom, (2.0 version. ) Before the first student logs on, here are a few ideas.

Expect the Unexpected

Inevitably, there will be “technical difficulties.” There always are. Let your parents and students know ahead of time, that there might be a tech glitch or two.

If this does occur, be flexible. Figure out in advance what you can do on your end to get things back up and running quickly.

Welcome Back! I’m Glad You’re Here

Make sure to greet each student one by one, as soon as the student logs on. It’s so important to recognize each person individually. Remind them to turn on their video so you can see their faces.

Students will be nervous about meeting the new teacher, especially online. A warm and friendly greeting for each student will help the child relax.

You may want to allow classmates to have their mics open at first, so they can also say “hello” as students arrive. As you interact with each student upon entering, you will also be taking attendance.

Depending on the size of your school, the students might not know each other. A virtual “getting to know you” game or activity is a great way to introduce the children to their classmates.

Teamwork Is the Name of the Game

Team-building is super important this year because we are distance learning. So, do whatever your can to foster the notion that they belong to your special class.

Teach them a class song, or rap. Brainstorm a nickname for the class. It will take time for the class to bond. But it starts on the very first day.

Whatever welcome-back-to-school activities you are using, make sure everyone gets a turn to speak or participate. Choose a game that is quick and fun. If they lose interest…move on.

Establish Comfortable Routines and Outline Your Expectations

This year, more than any other year, you want the students to be excited to come to class. However, you will need to explain the rules and behavior expectations.

With your grade level team, put together a detailed plan, based on what we learned last spring. Begin unfolding that plan during the first week of school.

Encourage parents to set up a well-lit workspace for their child away from distractions. Photo by Unsplash.

Set firm deadlines for assigned work and consequences for late or missing work. How will you handle bathroom breaks? Describe what supplies students will need to have “at the ready” during class. Remind them, it’s ok to be comfortable, but be seated, not laying down.

In an online classroom, you will also need to discuss things like: using the hand raising button to contribute, not wearing pajamas to class, and, (for the older students), not using those distracting virtual backgrounds or avatars.

Let Your Students Know “the Sky’s the Limit”

We need to make this online environment as welcoming and stimulating for the children as possible. Whet their appetites by describing all the cool things they will be doing and learning. Show them how excited you are to be be part of this “online adventure.”

Oh, and don’t forget. For the first day, here is tonight’s homework: Write down three or more things you want to learn about or learn how to do virtually this year. See what they come up with. They will surely surprise you.

Posted on

Back On Track With Virtual Learning

Teaching online last spring was a wild ride. With no time to prepare, and believing it would only be for a few weeks, we jumped right in. Photo by Stephen Hately

March 17, 2020, St. Patrick’s Day, was the day our school closed its doors and went virtual. We had sent our students home with their books the day before.

But in the crazy rush that afternoon, some kids left behind a book or two. With overflowing bookbags, many went home that day without their crayons, rulers, etc. They just couldn’t carry it all.

Still, we went ahead with our lessons the very next day. Who knew we would be teaching online through the end of the year?

Fast Forward to the Opening of This New School Year

For many of us, school this fall will be either “hybrid” or “online only.” Teachers did a great job adjusting to a new set of circumstances last spring.

Now we can use that experience to guide us in formulating an even better online product for our students. Here are some ideas to consider.

Have a phone conversation or video chat with each parent separately. A good parent-teacher partnership is essential in an online learning environment.

Before school begins, take the time to speak individually with parents/guardians of each of your students. Discuss their concerns about the upcoming school year.

Find out if their child needs anything that the school can provide. With many parents out of work, they may not be able to purchase even the basics. Find out who will be home with the child during the school day.

Go over log-in procedures and make sure you have the latest contact information for every parent.

Create a Productive and Creative Work Space For Yourself

If your school allows you to work from home, you will need to set up a mini office set apart from the rest of the family and the tv. A guest room is ideal, if you have one.

Make sure wherever you place your home office, you have reliable access to the Wifi signal in your home. (If necessary, you might consider moving the router.)

What not to do: Many of us set up shop on the dining room table last spring. My workspace was neat and organized, but it was too close to the family room and the tv, so I had to relocate to a spare bedroom.

How about decorating your mini at-home office just like a classroom? Put up some colorful borders and motivating posters. You and your students will feel more like you are there to do some teaching/learning.

Some teachers prefer to use a virtual photo background when they are teaching. But welcoming your students into your personal “office” may have a more authentic feel for them.

Build a Schedule That Meets the Needs of the Teacher and the Students

When you are setting up your daily class schedule, remember to work in some time for yourself. It is so easy to fall into the trap of working non-stop when you are working online from home.

Slip in a few minutes here and there to walk away from the computer and stretch or use the rest room. Don’t skip lunch.

Since the kids will be online all day too, why not schedule a quick break for the whole class to exercise or to try out a few dance moves. Music is such a great stress reliever. Or, maybe incorporate a little mindfulness practice.

There’s not much time left to prepare and so much to do! Next time, we’ll take a look at how we can make the first day of virtual school as smooth and exciting as possible. Talk soon.